Sonic the Hedgehog is one of gaming's most famous characters and has appeared in his own comics, television shows, games and even a live-action movie. Considering his popularity, it's no surprise rip-off Sonics have popped up now and then throughout popular culture, boasting similar designs and powers to the little blue speedster. In fact, DC Comics loves the character so much, the publisher has not one but two Sonic variations. The most recent of these characters is Krkkzz Zappl, who was featured in last year's The Green Lantern Annual #1.
In this issue, creates from the Planet Kwyzz invade the Jordan Family Reunion. The aliens are made of electricity and can merge their kinetic energies to become top-notch speedsters. They're also able to communicate and travel through radio waves. In Green Lantern Annual #1, they're essentially an analogy for wireless devices ruining family time. One of the kids at the end even remarks that Zypptzz, the villain who attacked the Jordans, was justified in his anger, because "we stole his territory and filled it with crappy pop songs and propaganda." At the end of the annual, a member of the Radio Lanterns of the Unseen Spectrum comes to retrieve Zypptzz after he is captured by Hal Jordan and Air Wave. This character is Krkkzz Zappl, and his design is based almost exactly on Sonic the Hedgehog.
Krkkzz has the same distinct spiky hair as Sonic, and just a hint of blue skin can be seen under his mask. Though we don't know for sure what power set this new Lantern has, it seems like the entire planet of Kwyzz is home to Sonic the Hedgehog analogs. The only other being from the planet who has played a significant role in DC comics is Krakkl, the first Sonic rip-off character in the DC Universe.
Krakkl, created by Mark Millar and Grant Morrison, first appeared in 1998, the same year Sonic Adventure released, and was the childhood imaginary friend of Wally West. Or, at least, that's what Wally thought. In fact, sometime after taking the mantle of "The Flash," Wally was summoned by two powerful intergalactic gamblers and made to enter a race that, if he lost, would destroy Earth. Wally had no choice but to comply and soon found out his opponent, also racing for the fate of their world, was Krakkl. A being made of pure blue energy, with spiky tails for hair, and capable of running at the speed of light, there was no doubt about the character's true origins.
Working together, the two heroes were able to outsmart the gamblers. Wally won the race, preserving the Earth, but managed to allow all of the citizens of Kwyzz to come to Earth over the planet's radio waves. This is most likely what Hal's nephew is referring to in last year's comic when he calls the radio waves Zyptzz's territory.
Since Green Lantern Annual #1, Krkkzz has not reappeared, but interest in the planet of Kwyzz isn't waning. Krakkl himself even made a slight return a few years ago in Justice League of America's Vibe #1 as a background Easter egg. With the recent mainstream success of Sonic after his new movie, it may not be long before we see the defenders of Kwyzz again.
Jeff Fowler's Sonic the Hedgehog stars Ben Schwartz as Sonic and Jim Carrey as Dr. Robotnik, with James Marsden, Neal McDonald, Tika Sumpter, Adam Pally and Natasha Rothwell. The film is now in theaters.